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General Discussion
Started by Blindstitch at 03-08-2010 6:43 PM. Topic has 31 replies.
  
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 03-08-2010, 6:43 PM
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Blindstitch
 
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Yep. It's true. Got the deal of the day and had to pick up an HID headlight bulb kit from David in Wisconsin.
It wasn't exactly the best fit like anything that goes on a naked bike. Well I got the idea last month to just say screw it and chop the harness the right way. I extended the harness by 3 feet so I didn't have to put the ballast under the tank and I came up with the best idea for myself so I jumped on it.
Yep the right side cover. I don't have a tool kit so their is only a blinker relay sitting there.
I'm also liking my dremel that I used to modify the tool holder area in under 5 minutes.
So this is what I had.
It was a Euro FX Hid kit for one bulb. The example is of two bulbs.
I extended the harness the right way with a soldering iron, heat shrink tubing and a roll of electrical tape.
I think it looks good.
I do need to get some good zipties to strap it down solid because I must have got some crappy ones a while back because they kept snapping.
I would have taken a picture of the light shining but all you would have seen was a glowing orb.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
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03-08-2010, 6:49 PM
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Spacetiger
Joined on 05-16-2009
Chantilly, VA
Posts 1,355
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okay Blindstich, you owe us all more details of this project. You get a marginally passing grade because you posted your location, have an avitar , and gave us a few pics... other than that you dribbled on the your post.
I guess the other poster was right, there are mean guys on this site :-o
Jerry
90 PC 800 (commuting steed)
82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike)
66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP)
80 CX500C (Loved this bike)
74 CB360 (Fun; but too small)
79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years)
76 CB550 (step up from 200cc)
74 KZ200 (1st bike!)
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03-08-2010, 6:52 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Ok what would you like to know. I need at least a C. C+ would be nice.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
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03-08-2010, 7:29 PM
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NightBiker07
Joined on 04-20-2009
Toledo, OH
Posts 506
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what did you do to the existing headlight to be able to use this?
80 CX 500
2000 CR 250 DIRT BIKE!!!!!!!!!!
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03-08-2010, 7:34 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Just remove the stock H4 bulb.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
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03-08-2010, 7:38 PM
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Spacetiger
Joined on 05-16-2009
Chantilly, VA
Posts 1,355
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We are looking for the story... I have marginal Headlights (or whatever) so I made a change for better visabilty at night or this mod lends itself to slight changes to light for increased daytime riding... yada yada yada...
Then, here is what I did, here is where I got the stuff, the mods I had to make, and the amunt I spent..
A few pics ought to get you at least a B+ - AND if its good enough, it will make the reference section :-)
LOL
90 PC 800 (commuting steed)
82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike)
66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP)
80 CX500C (Loved this bike)
74 CB360 (Fun; but too small)
79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years)
76 CB550 (step up from 200cc)
74 KZ200 (1st bike!)
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03-08-2010, 7:40 PM
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Spacetiger
Joined on 05-16-2009
Chantilly, VA
Posts 1,355
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THis pic doesn't count, you have to use your actual old part...
We're mean don't you know?
Actually, I was wondering if anyone did anything with LED headlights?
Jerry
90 PC 800 (commuting steed)
82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike)
66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP)
80 CX500C (Loved this bike)
74 CB360 (Fun; but too small)
79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years)
76 CB550 (step up from 200cc)
74 KZ200 (1st bike!)
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03-08-2010, 7:41 PM
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BillRod
Joined on 11-09-2009
Richton Park, IL 33 miles SW of Chicago
Posts 353
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Blindstitch, You need to see what zip ties the Chicago Police use as they use them for handcuffs. They have to be pretty sturdy. LOL BillRod
71 years old (April 1939)
Richton Park, Illinois
Just bought 1982 GL500 Naked 13,000 miles
Never worry about theory as long as the machinery does what it is supposed to do.
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03-08-2010, 8:11 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Ok here's the story. Last year and back I was having a huge pain driving in at night because I couldn't see hardly anything after 15 feet in front of me. I was using a sylvania sealed beam bulb when David in Wisconsin said he had a h4 bulb and housing that I could get for $15 or $20 I forget. Well that light did a pretty good job as letting me see in the dark. It basically doubled what I was seeing so maybe I got 30 feet at most and it still seamed super dim. I was going to get one of those $20 H4 bulbs to see if it was any better. I guess you could say I was throwing money at a problem to see if I could fix it.
Well David emailed me last month and said that he had an HID headlight kit that he took out of Basketcase if I remember right. Well he helped me change the rear struts on Melody's car he pulled out a box with all the goodies. He sold me the kit for $25 and said I could pay when I got the money because I never carry more than $5 in ones on me. So I paid for the light yesterday when I picked up the bike and installed it today.
There is an unused lot for a house behind my apartment. I shined the high beam which is not hid and I could see the 30 or so feet that I saw before. Then I flicked the switch to the low beam which is Hid. Right away it was brighter but if anyone knows Hid's they have to warm up. Within 2 minutes I could see everything in the lot. If there was a rabbit which there normally are I would have seen it.
Is that any better. Don't really have any pictures of it in the headlight bucket because it was a tight fit. I had to push the light back in the bucket just to get the screws in.
I ran the wiring down the right side and taped the harness to the tach cable so I could ensure it didn't move more than it really needed. Then the harness goes down the middle of the underside of the frame like my bikes wiring harness and then under the right cover of the bike.
I used my dremel with cut off to cut the tool pouch holder open and wide enough to get the ballast in there.
The zipties are an utter failure that I think I paid $2 for and I knew the price was to good to be true. Must have broke half trying to use them.
I'll probably give it a good test tomorrow if it isn't raining after work.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-08-2010, 11:17 PM
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NightBiker07
Joined on 04-20-2009
Toledo, OH
Posts 506
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So the bulb directly replaces the bulb in the housing?
I think my bulb is a single, sealed unit though :/
did these bikes come stock with the H4 housing, or is that something totally different?
80 CX 500
2000 CR 250 DIRT BIKE!!!!!!!!!!
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03-08-2010, 11:38 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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03-09-2010, 3:03 AM
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Spacetiger
Joined on 05-16-2009
Chantilly, VA
Posts 1,355
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A+
90 PC 800 (commuting steed)
82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike)
66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP)
80 CX500C (Loved this bike)
74 CB360 (Fun; but too small)
79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years)
76 CB550 (step up from 200cc)
74 KZ200 (1st bike!)
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03-09-2010, 4:27 AM
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roadster5580
Joined on 01-18-2008
Atlanta, GA
Posts 326
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First off, nice job on the modification! The only problem could be that the kit maybe illegal in that it does not meet FMVSS 108 standards. The shit has hit the fan on modifying OTR trucks to HID lights. The HID lights installed on late-model cars are OEM. As such, they are NHTSA and DOT approved, and meets FMVSS 108 standards. The problem comes with after-market installations and the NHTSA has sent notice to State Police agencies throughout the U.S. to be on the lookout for modified vehicles
For example:
http://dsl.torque.net/images/techdocs/NHTSA_Crackdown.jpg
Here is an article that details the situation:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.aspx
You may ride for years with this set up and get away with it. However, you may also get a "determination" that your kit is illegal the first time you pass your local Po-Po head-on at night. In that case, they may just give you a "save driving award" or they could be a real dick and impound the bike.
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03-09-2010, 7:42 AM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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When observing some HIDs, it may seem that they are not emitting white
light, as required by Standard No. 108. However, when observing the
beam pattern projected on a white screen, HID headlamps that comply
with our lighting standard will appear to be white with color
separations occurring only at the extreme edges of the pattern.
It's buried in 2.2 but didn't see a date.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/glare.aspx
Mine is pure white. I would hope that if anyone is getting pulled over it is that idiot with blue bulbs.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-09-2010, 7:57 AM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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 roadster5580 wrote: |
You may ride for years with this set up and get away with it. However, you may also get a "determination" that your kit is illegal the first time you pass your local Po-Po head-on at night. In that case, they may just give you a "save driving award" or they could be a real dick and impound the bike.
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Where are you getting this impound the bike crap?
Also all of those documents are 6 years old.
I have been looking and cant find any documents closer to 2010. Can you find any? I was even searching the DMV site but they are unreliable because they don't like to spend money on anything helpful and give people a round about.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-09-2010, 8:53 AM
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roadster5580
Joined on 01-18-2008
Atlanta, GA
Posts 326
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Crap? Been with guys that have had their bikes impounded for the following:
Handle bars exceeded 18"
Pipes to loud for local noise laws
Frame exceeds stock length
Illegal running lights or illegal turn signals
Having a sawed-off shotgun attached to the frame in plain sight, even though the gun was of legal length to carry in the gun rack of a pickup truck
Being a damn menace to society and just plain ugly
The local constabulary has the option of impounding any type of vehicle for what they deem to be an equipment violation, it's entirely up to the officer on the scene. Seeing as how your issue would concern questionably legal lights and more than likely at night, your odds are increased dramatically.
I'm sure there are newer documents on the Web some where. You can even print a copy and carry it with you if it makes you feel better. My experience is that if the cop wants to be an A-hole, he'll just say... "Explain it to the judge". Even if the judge does decide in you favor and the ticket gets dismissed, you're still out the $100 for the impound/tow.
My apologies for bringing what might be an unpleasant situation to your attention. Happy trails!!!
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03-09-2010, 9:58 AM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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I'm a print and carry person.
Every here of a red light law where it's legal to run a red light as long as you first stopped, waited for a amount of time where you know that a light should have turned green in your favor and then proceed with caution through it using safe driving.
I carry a card on me that sates it for the state of wisconsin so it isn't my word against theirs.
It's all about safety. There are a lot more people on the road that the police should be bothering besides me here in Milwaukee.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-09-2010, 11:48 AM
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Doward
Joined on 05-11-2008
Alachua, FL
Posts 816
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Cut and pasted from my build thread:
BRAND NEW 55 watt Halogen in a Composite 7" H4 Housing:
35
watt H4 HID in same 7" Composite H4 Housing:
Click on the picture for bigger pics.
1978 CX500 motor + 1980 CX500C frame
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03-09-2010, 12:20 PM
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Randall-in-Mpls
Joined on 07-06-2007
Minneapolis, MN
Posts 2,630
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| roadster5580 wrote: | |
Interesting read.
| "The most dangerous part of the attempt to "retrofit" Xenon headlamps is
that sometimes you get a deceptive and illusory "improvement" in the
performance of the headlamp. The performance of the headlamp is perceived
to be "better" because of the much higher level of foreground lighting (on
the road immediately in front of the car). However, the beam patterns
produced by this kind of "conversion" virtually always give less
distance light, and often an alarming lack of light where there's meant to
be a relative maximum in light intensity. The result is the illusion that
you can see better than you actually can, and that's not safe." |
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I'd be interested in seeing a comparison of halogen and HID lamps at normal highway distances.
R
'78 CX500 - Black Maggot --> Green Grub / Yellow Grub / Red Grub ???
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03-09-2010, 12:28 PM
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dccoleman
Joined on 04-01-2007
Rochester, MN USA
Posts 418
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| Blindstitch wrote: |
Mine is pure white. I would hope that if anyone is getting pulled over it is that idiot with blue bulbs.
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"White" is in the eye of the beholder, and your eye compensates to register white without you knowing it. The only way to know is an objective measurement. Light color is measured in degrees Kelvin. Halogens are around 3200 Kelvin and HIDs are 4100- 5600 K, roughly the color of noonday sunlight. I'm betting your "white" HID is around this 5500K range too.
BTW, the brain perceives blue to be brighter at night than yellow, even at the same intensity (lumens or lux). Some bulbs are halogens tinted blue and sold as brighter--Sylvania Silverstars come to mind-- even though the coating is actually filtering out light to make it blue.
(I hope I didn't just open a can of worms.)
***********************
1979 CX500 Deluxe
1983 GL650I
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03-09-2010, 2:19 PM
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SiriusBlackOp
Joined on 06-15-2009
Hudson, WI
Posts 445
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![Surprise [:O]](http://choppercharles.com/cs/emoticons/emotion-3.gif)
Re: I have HID
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| roadster5580 wrote: | Crap? Been with guys that have had their bikes impounded for the following:
Handle bars exceeded 18"
Pipes to loud for local noise laws
Frame exceeds stock length
Illegal running lights or illegal turn signals
Having a sawed-off shotgun attached to the frame in plain sight, even though the gun was of legal length to carry in the gun rack of a pickup truck
Being a damn menace to society and just plain ugly
The local constabulary has the option of impounding any type of vehicle for what they deem to be an equipment violation, it's entirely up to the officer on the scene. Seeing as how your issue would concern questionably legal lights and more than likely at night, your odds are increased dramatically.
I'm sure there are newer documents on the Web some where. You can even print a copy and carry it with you if it makes you feel better. My experience is that if the cop wants to be an A-hole, he'll just say... "Explain it to the judge". Even if the judge does decide in you favor and the ticket gets dismissed, you're still out the $100 for the impound/tow.
My apologies for bringing what might be an unpleasant situation to your attention. Happy trails!!!
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Holy Crap! I know many cops personally up here in WI and MN and every single one of them when asked about HIDs, LEDs, even if the color is restricted like Blue say "I don't really care if the lights on a motorcycle are legal. If it makes you more visible, then you are safer.". Which basically means, there is less chance of me having to scoop you up off of some road with a shovel.
1981 Honda GL500
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03-09-2010, 2:26 PM
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Panther
Joined on 05-09-2006
Las Vegas, NV
Posts 1,264
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Silver stars do have a "filter" but they also run at much higher temps, give more and clearer light.
Peace & Light
>^..^<
..........
'83 GL650swi "My Little Grey Lady"
'82 GL500swi parts bike
'78 DT175
'86 LS650 Milady's bike
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03-09-2010, 3:46 PM
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DavidfromWisconsin
Joined on 03-19-2008
Appleton, WI
Posts 2,458
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Don,
Glad you got the light hooked up. Wait until night. Then go out an ride down 94 where there are the concrete barriers and set the light low enough at the cut off point as not to disturb other drivers.
The light that Don got from me will cut off in a straight enough line as not to disturb any other drivers. When I had the bulb in my bike I was never challenged by another driver.
Dave the lights that I buy are the 5500K white lights that do not attrack attention to yourself and do not blind anyone coming at you.
Finally, the reason I sold Don the light was to get the high/low beam HID with the sliding plate. I have yet to mount it in Candy, but once I get the time it is going into the bike.
David From Wisconsin ... R80Dave
'82 GL500I alias Candy
'82 GL500I alias Candy II
'00 BMW K1200LT & trailer
'81 KZ440 (Wife's learning bike)
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03-09-2010, 4:17 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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| dccoleman wrote: | | Blindstitch wrote: |
Mine is pure white. I would hope that if anyone is getting pulled over it is that idiot with blue bulbs.
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"White" is in the eye of the beholder, and your eye compensates to register white without you knowing it. The only way to know is an objective measurement. Light color is measured in degrees Kelvin. Halogens are around 3200 Kelvin and HIDs are 4100- 5600 K, roughly the color of noonday sunlight. I'm betting your "white" HID is around this 5500K range too.
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A side from Dave making the comment because he sold it to me. I can read. And it shows the color tone on the box. Also a lot of people know this but it doesn't come right to mind. With myself being a photographer I know that the eye is an advanced organ that can and will make the neutral color white to better serve the viewer. That's also why you can sit in a dark room and as your eyes get use to the surroundings the light intensifies to adjust to seeing something unless it's totally black then your screwed.
If you want I can set my camera to the exact kelvin and take a picture of the bulb on if that helps. I just want to be safe, visible and be able to view other stuff.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-09-2010, 4:41 PM
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roadster5580
Joined on 01-18-2008
Atlanta, GA
Posts 326
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Sirius - Let's just say we've probably lived divergent lifestyles and therefore the difference in experiences with the Po-Po. Not to worry, I doubt you'll ever be confused with a 1%er on a CX.
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03-10-2010, 5:50 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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No review on the headlight yet. I did take the bike out for 30 miles after work and although it was dark it was so foggy so I couldn't see that far in front of myself. I do think the headlight is adjusted to high although I wasn't flashed by anyone. I guess I'll have to find some way to adjust it since it isn't a honda headlight and likes the position it is in. I think the dremel might be solving this problem.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-11-2010, 12:04 AM
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DavidfromWisconsin
Joined on 03-19-2008
Appleton, WI
Posts 2,458
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Don,
If it is the headlight I sold you it is a Honda headlight.
David From Wisconsin ... R80Dave
'82 GL500I alias Candy
'82 GL500I alias Candy II
'00 BMW K1200LT & trailer
'81 KZ440 (Wife's learning bike)
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03-11-2010, 12:06 AM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Headlight yes. Bucket no.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-15-2010, 6:58 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,863
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Ok so I have the headlight adjusted. Probably not right but that's for a later time. I think I'm pointing a bit low. But either way I went for a ride today and the last bit of it was in the almost complete dark and it was doing one hell of a job illuminating the road. The thing I thought was funny is before it was dark enough I could easily see the headlight illuminating the white signs on the side of the road. I got a laugh out of it. At least I knew the light was working.
Now all I need to do is the 25 foot headlight adjustment to get things right.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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03-17-2010, 9:35 AM
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Sidecar Bob
Joined on 03-02-2006
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Posts 1,901
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03-17-2010, 11:05 AM
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dean
Joined on 06-13-2007
Pittsboro, NC
Posts 512
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i have HID's with projectors in my fz6. it is quite an improvement
over the stock bulbs. night time riding is easy now. but i don't
think i'd do HID's unless i was able to fit the projectors in the
housing. the projectors help focus the light... making it brighter
where you need to see it... and out of the faces of on coming traffic.
if i ever get my cx project up and running i'll probably put a projector in it.
06 FZ6
80 CX500 Custom (project)
83 Gl650I (given back to original owner)
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03-17-2010, 2:21 PM
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Sidecar Bob
Joined on 03-02-2006
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Posts 1,901
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My low cuts off below the line of sight of all but the lowest sports cars and my high produces a solid band of light the shape of a wide screen movie that lights up the trees on both sides of the road and everything in between.
Don mentioned 15' & 30'. That's not much worse than what I found with the 25+ year old reflector units and the new reflectors I replaced them with. Continuing the analogy, the HID low beam lets me see maybe 1/4 mile and the high goes farther than my eyes can see.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1000/Dnepr) summer
The Famous Eccles ('84 GX650EI/Velorex700) winter
WHY I HAVEN"T BEEN AROUND MUCH LATELY
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » General Discuss... » I have HID
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